Coventry La La La
New Member
Championship strugglers Ipswich Town have confirmed that they have parted company with manager Roy Keane following a below-par campaign.
The East Anglian side started the season with high hopes and began well, but in recent months results have faltered leaving Keane under intense pressure.
Ipswich suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest in midweek and the Portman Road outfit now sit just three points above third-from-bottom Crystal Palace.
Chief executive Simon Clegg has thanked Keane for his efforts at the club, but feels with a new man at the helm they will be able to get their season back on track.
Sky Sports News understands Paul Jewell will be appointed as Keane's successor in the coming days.
Termination
"I can confirm that Ipswich Town Football Club have amicably terminated the contract of our manager Roy Keane with immediate effect," he said on Sky Sports News.
"I have to say this is a sad day for Ipswich Town Football Club and for me personally. I'd like to thank Roy Keane for his efforts, his dedication, his support and his professionalism over the last 20 months.
"His reaction to the news is as I would have hoped and expected from someone I've got to know over the past two years. One of disappointment and sadness and coupled with the acknowledgment of the opportunity he was given and support he has received.
"We wanted to give Roy Keane the sufficient time to get the team right and to improve the situation. However, as he has said himself, the performances on the pitch since November have simply not been good enough.
"The results speak for themselves. We all carry a degree of responsibility for this failure and I include myself in this. I'm convinced that with a new manager we can achieve the objective and goals we have set for this club."
Successor
Jewell is the bookies' favourite to replace Keane at Portman Road, but Clegg refused to confirm or deny who the club were speaking with.
He stated the club have started talks over Keane's successor while also revealing first-team coach Charlie McParland will assume caretaker charge.
McParland will oversee first-team affairs for the club's tricky-looking FA Cup trip to holders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
"I hope to be in a position to make an announcement regarding the new manager over the coming days," he continued.
"We've started that process. We're speaking with a number of people. I'm not going to fuel any speculation or deny any names thrown at me.
"I can assure you he will have the support and resources available to him.
"I've asked Charlie McParland to take over as caretaker manager. I would expect Charlie to be in place for as long as necessary.
"The most important thing now is everyone focuses on the game in hand which is the FA Cup.
"I think it is unrealistic to hope those negotiations will be concluded and an appointment made before Sunday's game."
Disappointment
Ex-Manchester United captain Keane has expressed his disappointment at leaving his post, but knows it is a results business.
Keane won 28 and lost 28 of his 81 games in charge of the Tractor Boys since taking over from Jim Magilton.
In a statement issued by The League Managers Association, Keane said: "I'm hugely disappointed to be leaving Portman Road.
"Results haven't been as good as I'd have hoped so far this season and when results aren't good the manager gets the sack, that's the game.
"However, I have a genuine belief we were making progress and that the players have what it takes to turn this season around.
"We were preparing well for our visit to Chelsea on Sunday and then our Carling Cup semi with Arsenal. Getting to that semi proves what I know the team is capable of.
"I was also working hard to build the squad during the transfer window, looking at our options to attract new players to the club.
"I have loved my time at Ipswich, living locally to the club with my family, and have a massive respect for the club, its staff, the fans and the community and I wish them well."
